The moon sets 10:33 p.m. today, rises 9:07
a.m. Wednesday. It is four days after the new moon.

100 years ago today

1913: Explosive career: "What is
believed to have been the biggest blast in the history of industrial America
was set off at Thomasville, York County, yesterday by the man least expected to
continue a further acquaintance with dynamite, J. Taylor Roth, the (Lehigh Valley)
cement district explosives expert. He blew down 60 tons of rock with 40,000
sticks of dynamite arranged as a battery in holes 122 feet deep along the
breast of the quarry. When he touched off the button pretty nearly the whole of
York County
shook. In March a year ago Roth was in an explosion that took his left eye
outright, and only the best surgeons saved his remaining orb. He said at the
time he was done with dynamiting, but dynamiting is second nature to him. It is
only a few weeks since that he recovered sight sufficiently to resume."

50 years ago today

1963: Just dropped in: "Easton
police are investigating a burglary Saturday night at Fran's Place, 526
Northampton St. About $30 was reportedly taken
from a cash register. The confectionary and tobacco shop was entered by
breaking glass in a skylight, police said. The burglar dropped 10 feet from the
skylight into the store, it appeared. Drops of blood were found as though he
had been cut by the broken glass."

25 years ago today

1988: Life in the slow lane: "Was he
drunk or merely resting? State police said a (Bethlehem Township, Pa., man) was
intoxicated when they found him behind the wheel of his car in the
drive-through line at the Burger King on 25th Street in Wilson on April 7, 1986. But (the man)
told a jury yesterday he fell asleep because he was 'overtired' from working
too hard. And he said he became drowsy waiting in the fast-food line with the
sun streaming through the sun roof of his car. The Northampton
County jury acquitted him of the drunken-driving
charge after a two-day trial." Said the defendant, "For a fast-food restaurant,
it wasn't very fast."

Quote of the day

"A successful man is one who can lay a firm foundation with
the bricks others have thrown at him." — David Brinkley (1920-2003).

Almanac is compiled by Pete Brekus, Express-Times news
assistant. He can be reached at 610-258-7171,
or at pbrekus@express-times.com.